April 7, 2021–6:31 p.m.
GEORGIA ATTORNEY GENERAL
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr reports that his office has been notified by the Georgia Department of Public Health of a suspected cluster of overdoses related to counterfeit pills which may contain fentanyl.
The primary areas that appear to be affected so far are Richmond County, Chatham County, and the Rome area.
Carr added that patients took an unknown pill they believed was Xanax, Percocet, or Roxicodone, but actually contained fentanyl.
Overall, opioid overdoses have increased in Georgia since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
From March 2020 through February of 2021, there has been a 55% increase in opioid-involved emergency department visits, compared to the same period in 2019.
For access to services and immediate crisis help, call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225, available 24/7.